Panama visas
Residency & strategic relocation to Panama.
We facilitate residency and relocation for retirees, families, investors and executives establishing a life or business in Panama, with legal, practical and business objectives aligned from day one.
Which route could fit your profile?
Different profiles call for different routes. Select the profile closest to yours to see the programmes that typically apply. Eligibility is always confirmed in a personal assessment.
Residency programmes
- Investment
Qualified Investor Visa
Panama’s Qualified Investor Visa gives investors permanent residency immediately upon approval. Investors may qualify through real estate, a bank deposit, or securities and investment funds. Following Executive Decree No. 17 of September 8, 2026, the real estate route now splits by property type, and the bank deposit route offers a lower threshold at state-owned banks.
- How to qualify
- Three qualifying investment routes, all held for a minimum of five years. Investment funds must come from foreign sources, be traceable to the applicant, and be the applicant’s own capital (gifts and donations do not count).
- Real estate · resale
- US$500,000 in a resale property, free of any liens.
- Real estate · first sale
- US$300,000 in a first-sale property acquired directly from the developer, unoccupied and never previously sold or leased.
- Real estate · off-plan
- US$300,000 in an off-plan property through a promise-of-sale contract, secured either by a trust at a Panama-licensed bank or by an irrevocable, unconditional, on-first-demand bank instrument (standby letter of credit, irrevocable bank guarantee, or performance guarantee) covering 100% of the investment until the property is registered in the applicant’s name.
- Bank deposit
- US$500,000 in a five-year fixed-term deposit held directly and solely at Banco Nacional de Panamá or Caja de Ahorros de Panamá, or US$750,000 in a five-year fixed-term deposit at any licensed private bank in Panama. Deposits must be lien-free and funded through international SWIFT transfers from accounts in the applicant’s name.
- Securities
- US$500,000 in eligible Panamanian securities held for five years through a licensed local brokerage: private equity, venture capital, and other registered investment funds whose primary purpose is productive investment in Panamanian companies, infrastructure, or ventures; debt issued or guaranteed by the Republic of Panama (sovereign bonds, treasury bills, whether bought at primary auction or on the secondary market); and other registered securities such as shares, corporate debt, and real estate investment trusts. Market fluctuations outside the investor’s control do not trigger noncompliance if the shortfall is restored within 90 calendar days of MICI notice.
- Residency
- No residence requirement before or during processing. Maintaining permanent resident status requires visiting Panama at least once every two years.
- Government fees
- US$5,000 to the National Treasury (main applicant), US$1,000 per dependent. US$5,000 to the National Migration Service (main applicant), US$1,000 per dependent. Spouses married after approval and new children (by birth or adoption) may be added later for US$1,000 to the National Treasury plus US$1,000 to SNM each.
- Citizenship
- A path to citizenship is available after five consecutive years of residence in Panama. Naturalization is discretionary and requires the demonstration of Spanish-language and civic knowledge.
Typical profiles: InvestorLooking for residencyMoving with family
Request an assessment - Investment
Macro-Investor Visa
Residency through a US$160,000 investment in an approved, operating Panamanian company, such as the social medical clinic projects we work with.
- Investment
- US$160,000 in the share capital of a qualifying company, with the applicant registered as shareholder.
- Business
- The company must be operational and employ at least five Panamanian citizens.
- Family
- Dependents can be included, with an additional investment of US$2,000 per dependent.
- Funds
- Investment funds must originate from outside Panama; applicants must be 18 or older.
Typical profiles: InvestorEntrepreneur / business ownerMoving with family
Request an assessment - Nationality
Friendly Nations Visa
For citizens of a specified list of countries, including Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
- Route
- Real estate or fixed-term bank deposit of US$200,000.
- Eligibility
- Depends on nationality; the country list is confirmed in your assessment.
Typical profiles: InvestorLooking for residency
Request an assessment - Retirement
Rentista Retirado Visa
Permanent residency for retirees who live on the income from a fixed-term deposit at a Panamanian state bank.
- Deposit
- A fixed-term deposit of at least five years at Banco Nacional de Panamá or Caja de Ahorros, generating a monthly income of at least US$850.
- Residency
- Permanent residency, maintained while the deposit is kept in place.
- Basis
- Law 9 of 1987 and Executive Decree 320 of 2008. This route differs from the pension-based Pensionado visa; the right route is confirmed in your assessment.
Typical profiles: RetiringLooking for residency
Request an assessment - Company & residency
Panama 50
Our turnkey programme to establish a company in a Panama Free Zone or Special Economic Zone while pursuing residency for you and your family.
- Company
- Incorporation in an approved Free Zone or Special Economic Zone, with corporate structure, registrations, registered agent and business licensing.
- Residency
- Residency applications connected to the qualifying business activity, for the main applicant and qualifying dependents.
- Included
- Legal consultation, Free Zone application, immigration filings, family processing, document drafting and government liaison.
- Investment
- Depending on the business activity and residency category, additional qualifying investment and government fees may apply.
- Ongoing
- Optional annual compliance package from the second year, and a relocation package for you and your family.
Typical profiles: Entrepreneur / business ownerLooking for residencyMoving with family
Request an assessment - Free Zone
Free Zone & Export Processing Zone investor residency
Residency linked to investment in a qualifying Free Zone business operation.
- Investment
- Typical investment references begin at approximately US$250,000 for Export Processing Zone investor categories.
- Residency
- Temporary residency leading toward permanent residency, with family inclusion.
Typical profiles: Entrepreneur / business ownerInvestorMoving with family
Request an assessment - Employment
Employment-based residency
For international company executives, foreign personnel and specialised experts or technicians, including routes linked to the SEM and EMMA regimes for multinational headquarters and manufacturing.
- Residency
- Generally begins with a provisional visa and can lead toward permanent residency.
Typical profiles: Relocating for work
Request an assessment - Remote work
Digital Nomad Visa
Panama’s Short-Stay Visa for Remote Workers: live in Panama and work remotely for a foreign employer or your own foreign clients, without a separate work permit.
- Income
- At least B/.36,000 (about US$36,000) a year, earned entirely from abroad.
- Work
- An employment contract with a foreign transnational company, or independent remote work for clients abroad.
- Duration
- Nine months, extendable once for nine months (18 months in total). A non-resident category: it does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship.
- Documents
- Health certificate, police clearance and health insurance valid in Panama, among other supporting documents.
- Benefits
- No investment requirement and no separate work permit; Panama’s territorial tax system generally does not tax foreign-source income.
Typical profiles: Relocating for work
Request an assessment
One integrated package: company, residency and compliance.
Generally best suited for
- Entrepreneurs
- International consultants
- Remote business owners
- Import / export operators
- Logistics companies
- Investors seeking residency diversification
- Families seeking a secondary residency solution
Relocation package
- Apartment search guidance
- School orientation
- Healthcare guidance
- Driver’s licence assistance
- Local onboarding support
- Airport pickup assistance
Clarity before commitment.
Residency is not citizenship
Panama does not offer citizenship by investment. Naturalisation generally requires around five years of residency, Spanish-language integration and government approval.
Requirements can change
Immigration requirements, residency thresholds and investment regulations may change over time. All requirements are confirmed in writing before engagement.
Tax depends on your situation
Panama largely taxes Panama-sourced income only, but your obligations elsewhere remain. Tax treatment is fact-specific; independent tax advice is recommended.
Compliance comes first
Expect enhanced KYC: passports, police clearance, bank references and proof of source of funds, with foreign documents apostilled or authenticated.
From assessment to filing.
- 01
Consultation & eligibility review
Nationality, financial profile, business objectives, family composition and tax residency considerations.
- 02
KYC & compliance review
Supporting documentation, source of funds and apostille or consular authentication.
- 03
Legal structuring & documentation
Corporate documents, powers of attorney, immigration filings and registrations.
- 04
Filing & government coordination
Applications filed and coordinated with the relevant authorities through to approval.
Find out which route fits you.
Share your profile and objectives. We will review eligibility and come back with the routes that could apply, and what each would require.